Bill Gonnsen Talks Songwriting

Door County singer/songwriter Bill Gonnsen recently submitted two ‘poems’ to the Peninsula Pulse – “Quiet Time in Door County” and “The First Time.”

“They are also the lyrics of two songs by the same name,” he added in his email. “If you would like to listen to the songs, I have provided that link.”

A click lead to a sample of Gonnsen’s tunes – songs with a folky flavor, sung with a storyteller’s voice, accompanied by a strumming guitar.

Gonnsen spoke with Sally Slattery about songwriting, his musical influences, and Saturday mornings spent listening to the radio with his mother.

Sally Slattery (SS): You moved to the peninsula from St. Paul, what brought you to Door County?

Bill Gonnsen (BG): I grew up in St. Paul, but had moved quite extensively throughout the Midwest with the sales career I had during the 1980s. My final stop was in Wausau, Wis. There I opened an art gallery and custom framing business. Looking for more summer opportunity we opened the Gathering Art Gallery in Ephraim in 1994. Subsequently we bought a condo here in the late 90s. It is our current home in Sister Bay.

I actually came to Door County for the first time in 1991 with my daughters on a day trip. Having never been here before I was expecting a Wisconsin Dells of the north. I was so pleasantly surprised by the beauty, charm and relaxed nature (no pun intended) of the county. It was quite easy to fall in love with this place.

SS: I understand your parents influenced your love of music. Were you a musician your whole life?

BG: Early on my parents were a great influence on my music tastes. I especially remember Saturday mornings in the kitchen with my mother listening to the radio. Given that I am a baby boomer, music at that time was in a great transition. We would listen to Doris Day, Dinah Shore, Nat King Cole, but things began to change and we were also listening to Elvis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly. Of course everything changed when I first heard The Beatles.

My Dad loved to sing old cowboy songs and what I would call traditional rural church music. So here came Bob Wills, Roy Rogers, Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Hank Williams. A lot of diverse and eclectic influences.

I picked up guitar when I was 13 years old. My buddies and I formed a band in high school. We were called The Haze. We played around the Twin Cities area. After high school I performed as a solo artist – writing and singing my own songs. Once married any active performing stopped. I only played for occasional church activities, youth groups etc. It was only about four years ago that I began to become very active in writing again.

SS: Any musicians inspire your songwriting?

BG: While it is true that musicians influence my style they do not necessarily inspire my writing. I love the craft of the song. My goal is to emulate what the writers I admire do with their creative talent, discipline and commitment. I love Leonard Cohen. My personal opinion is that he is one of the greatest singer/songwriters of my lifetime. While I could never write a Leonard Cohen song, my challenge is to write to that standard.

To the question of what inspires my songwriting that is an easier answer: family, friends, acquaintances, a word or phrase heard or thought, a bit of music. Life is full of inspiration. It is happening around us constantly.

SS: What are you currently working on?

BG: Currently I continue to write and record. Through my website I am trying to provide other musicians the opportunity to have a creative outlet for their music. Jay Davidson became the first to share that space with me. My goal as spring approaches is to become more active in preforming.

To learn more about Gonnsen and his music, visit northerndoormusic.com, search William Gonnsen on Facebook, or purchase his music on iTunes and cdbaby.com.

The First Time
By Bill Gonnsen

We’re being invaded by crystals of ice
Descending from the sky on parachutes of white
I’m told that no two are exactly alike
They are the source of my amusement, my wonder, my delight.

I laugh as the wind chases this storm of white
The harder it blows the quicker their flight
They can’t be controlled they just do as they like
They are the source of my amusement, my wonder, my delight.

Today I woke for the first time, opened my eyes for the first time
Took a deep breath for the first time – for the first time.
Stepped into daylight for the first time, felt so humble in this space
Cried tears of joy for the first time – for the first time.

I can roll in it, run in it, catch it on my tongue
Make an angel like I did when I was young
I may just play in it long into the night
They are the source of my amusement, my wonder, my delight.

A window opened on the world today
The rhythm of the universe was put on display
Mystical, meditational, shimmering light
They are the source of my amusement, my wonder, my delight.

Today I woke for the first time, opened my eyes for the first time
Took a deep breath for the first time – for the first time.
Stepped into daylight for the first time, felt so humble in this space
Cried tears of joy for the first time – for the first time.